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B. J. DOWNS.

TRRR PROTECTOR.

(No'Model.)

No. 306,007. Patented Sept. 30, 1884.

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M M M r4. PETERS. vmwuuwgnpm washing n. c.

Nrrnrr STATES ATENT rrrcn.

BENJAMIN J. DOVNS, OF WEST SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OFFOUR-FIFTIIS TO JOHN XV. COOK, ALFRED J. CUNNINGHAM, AND JE- ROME A.ROBBINS, ALL OF SAME PLACE.

TREE-PROTECTOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 306,0'7, datedSeptember 30,1884. Application filed March 8, 1884. (No model!) To @ZZwiz/m it may coltcerlt:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN J. Downs, a citizen of the United States,residing at Vest Somerville, in the county of Middlesex and State ofMassachusetts, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements inTree-Protectors; and I do hereby declare that the same are fullydescribed in the following specification and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

The object of this invention is to increase the durability and capacityand to lessen the cost of tree-protectors of that class in which anannular trough containing a viscid liquid is secured in position aroundthe tree to protect it from the ravages of worms and insects.

My invention consists in a sheet-1netal cyl- 'inder having aninward-turned annular trough formed in one with it, in combination witha waterproof ilexible apron adapted to be secured directly to the outerface of said cylin der and to the tree to be protected.

It also consists in such cylinder and trough Vin a single piece, thetrough having a corrugated bottom in a horizontal plane and a corrugatededge or inner wall standing substantially vertical.

Another feature of my invention is the grooving of the cylindrical bodyand the inward bevel of its upper edge for securing the apron andprotecting` it from injury.

This invention is in the nature of an im provement on the tree-protectorshown in the patent to A. G. Cook, No. 223,996, dated February 3, 1880.In that device the corrugated trough was turned up obliquely, leavingbut a limited space for the liquid, and the apron was not secured to thecylinder, of which. the trough formed a part, but to a separate ringarranged to slip down outside of said cylinder, with a liability ofspace between thc two through which insects may penetrate.

In the drawings, Figure l shows my protector as applied to a tree, thedevice being in vertical section. Fig. 2 represents the nietalliccylinder and the preferred form of trough. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail.

A is the vertical cylindrical part of the device, and B the troughformed in one with 5o it. This trough is` corrugated or crimped to takeup the stock as the niet-al is bent into annular shape. The trough beingnearer the center of the circle than is the vertical wall A, it followsthat the flutes or corrugations will increase in depth inwardly from theline of junction of the parts A and B to the inner edge of the trough.The trough may be turned in to extend obliquely upward, as in said Cookpatent; but I prefer to form it with 6o a bottom substantiallyhorizontal and an upturned inner edge, C, standing vertically, since anacute angle in the metal is thereby avoided, and greater capacityin thetrough is attained. I construct an annular trough of this character froma single piece of sheet zinc or copper by means of a machine invented byme for the purpose, which machine will form the subject of anotherapplication for patent to be hereafter led by nic. The trough is securedto the tree by long nails D through the cylinder A into the wood. Theholesin the metal may be countersunk, or may be formed in a groove ofthe metal, so as notto have the nail-heads protrude. I form an inwardbead or groove, E, entirely around the cylinder A, in which to confine4the lower edge of the water-proof ilexible apron, and I bevel or curveinwardly the extreme upper edge of the cylinder, in order that the apronmay not be worn or caused to leak by bearing against the sharp edge ofthe metal. rlhe apron F is preferably of a stout fabric, oiled orotherwise rendered waterproof. Its lower edge is secured in the grooveEby a stout cord drawn tightly and tied around it, and in order to makeas neat an appearance as possible I prefer to turn in a hem at thebottom and run the cord through the same to conceal it. The upperportion of the apron is gathered in and secured closely to the tree, towhich it converges uniformly, as usual.

I claim as my inventionl. The cylinder A, having the annular groove E,and the annular trough, corrugated or crimped as described, the wholeformed of a'single piece of metal, in combination with the apron F,secured in said groove iu posed ol' :t single piece ol" metal,substantially the cylinder7 substantially :is described7 und asdescribed. Io for the purpose stated. In testimony whereof I heretoaffix my sig- 2. The cylinder A, having annular groove nature inpresence of two Witnesses. 5 E, and the annular trough, said trough hzw-BENJAMIN J. DOVNS.

ing it bottom substantially horizontal when in lVitnesses: use and anupturned inner Wall, the Wall A. H. SPENCER, and bottom being`corrugated, and all oonil E. A. PHELPs.

